Scams

THE LATEST SCAM

The DFE have been made aware that parents are receiving an email saying ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.

This is a SCAM so please do not reply or enter your bank details. Thank you.

BRADFORD residents have been urged to be on guard against a number of scams linked to the coronavirus outbreak.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards has listed eight scams that are trending in the county in its newsletter, retweeted by Bradford district housing group, Incommunities, they are:

1 Individuals are going around door-to-door selling face masks and trying to get into people’s homes.

2 Individuals impersonating Red Cross workers and health authorities door-to-door knocking claiming to be carrying out mandatory testing for COVID-19 as an excuse to enter a home.

3 Scam text messages/emails from Police/government stating you have been fined for leaving the house.

4 Scam HMRC tax refund messages/emails.

5 Message online or by text stating the UK Government is issuing a payment to all residents asking people to lick a link which then goes to a fake gov.uk website asking people to enter personal details.

6 Scam phone calls offering priority vaccinations.

7 Parents receiving an email stating: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’ The Department of Education has confirmed this is a scam email.

- Family and friends are best: Support from trusted friends, family or neighbours is ideal. Be vigilant for strangers offering services at the door that may want to take advantage.

- No snap decisions: Take time to talk to someone you trust before you make any decisions.

- Do the Checks: You can check ID badges and contact associations to check membership registrations yourself. Call the phone number of the organisation, obtain this number yourself - not from the person on the door.

Anyone with any experiences of any of the scams can report them to @actionfrauduk or call 0300 123 2040